Conversations

Summary: Post S5.8. Eli has dinner with Natalie and complications ensue.

Rating: T= PG 13

Spoilers: Anything aired through Season 5 (USA) is fair game.

A/N: The rekindled romance between Ei and Natalie sparked my interest. My spin in three chapters.

Disclaimer: CBS holds the power and the rights to The Good Wife and all characters. No harm is intended.

A few minutes earlier, Eli almost bailed on his dinner date with Natalie. Now after kissing her, she was stepping closer to initiate a kiss of her own. She whispered softly, "does this mean you are going to join me for dinner?"

Eli just nodded and then stepped over to pull out Natalie's chair. He took his seat and she picked up her glass of wine, She toasted their first date.

"To us," he repeated.

The conversation and the evening flowed better after their rocky start. He asked her why she said she was in such a great mood and she explained the nature of the case and the failed deportation of her friend. Natalie steered clear of the encounter she had with Howard Lyman fearing it could spark a swift response from Eli. They stayed on lighter subjects, including Natalie's work in New York and Eli's new position as Peter's Chief of Staff. When they finished off the last of their cheesecake and coffee, Eli offered to drive Natalie back to her hotel.

He tipped the valet when his dark blue Porsche Cayenne was brought up to the restaurant's entrance and opened the passenger door for Natalie. The valet had turned on both the heater and the seat warmers for them and the car's interior quickly warmed against the cold night air.

"I didn't take you for an SUV guy," remarked Natalie.

Eli grinned as he revved the engine and pulled into traffic. "I spend a lot of time in town cars with drivers. I just wanted a solid all wheel commute vehicle that had town car luxury but was safe in the winter."

The rest of the short drive was quiet until they neared the hotel. "Would you like to come up for a nightcap?" asked Natalie in a somewhat halting soft voice.

"I would, but I am going to have to ask for a rain check," replied Eli. He was terrified. He wanted Natalie but he also respected her. He did not want to push her away after losing her for over two years. Instead, he pulled the Cayenne into a metered parking space about a block from the hotel. He kept the car running to keep them warm.

Natalie looked at him with a questioning glance, but before she could form a question, he spoke up.

"I want to kiss you good night, but I really did not want to do so in front of the hotel. I had a great night and I am very sorry about balking at the beginning of the evening."

Before he could say any more, her lips were on his and her hand gently stoked his jaw. She pulled back slightly with a wide smile and then dove in for another kiss. Eli was awestruck. It was all he could do to silence his brain and just react to the beautiful, brilliant young woman in his arms.

Natalie was wise enough to stop at an appropriate time. She held his hands and told him to stay in touch. She explained that she usually got home about 8:30 each night. She wanted him to call whenever he could and she promised to see him again when she came to Chicago on business or to see her family. The next time, they would not have to run in to each other by accident.

Eli nodded repeatedly. It seemed that he was still rather speechless from the night's events. He kissed Natalie tenderly and then pulled his SUV back on to the road. He turned in at the hotel and the valet helped Natalie out of the Porsche.

Eli drove home in an unfamiliar and yet exhilarated mood.